Construction of new Demerara bridge by September

BAM International of the Netherlands, Ballast Nedam of the Netherlands, AFCONS Infrastructure Ltd. of India, Coema Pais Landscaping Organization and Services Limited of Brazil in Partnership with Sanches Tripoloni Limited of Brazil, China Civil Engineering Corporation of China, China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Company Limited and AVIC Intelligence Measurement Company of China in a Joint Venture, China Communication Construction Company Ltd., CITIC Construction Company Ltd. and China Railway 17 Euro Group Company Ltd. in a Joint Venture, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd., SINO Hydro Corporation Ltd of China, Puentes y Infraestructuras of Spain, Oas engenharia e construcao of Brazil and China TIESIJU Civil Engineering Group Co. Ltd. are the 11 companies that submitted their tenders.

Dutch consulting company, Lievense CSO, which conducted the feasibility study has advised that the bridge be designed with a minimum clearance of 17.5 m above Chart Datum (CD) to allow uninterrupted passing of trawlers, tugs and barges and smaller coastal and service vessels. A low bridge is reportedly about 20 per cent cheaper than a high bridge (with a reduced height of 43.5 m CD).

Compared to the high bridge, the low bridge also has an estimated 15 per cent higher lane capacity and less risk on the breakdown of trucks and cargo falling off. Without the interest for pre-financing, the bridge’s estimated cost is US$150 million, including contractors cost and additional costs for services, land acquisition for the approach roads, and limited budget for a first phase of link roads